Hainan Airlines launches Changsha–Melbourne route from 09NOV16

Hainan Airlines earlier this week filed operational schedule for planned Changsha – Melbourne route, scheduled to commence on 09NOV16. The airline will operate this route twice a week, on board Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Reservation is currently available in full-fare J/Y class for the time being.

HU483 CSX1745 – 0700+1MEL 330 37
HU484 MEL0900 – 1620CSX 330 14

Melbourne is the airline’s second Australia route from Changsha. The airline also opened reservation for Changsha – Sydney service between 30OCT16 and 25MAR17. The twice weekly flight begins on Monday (12SEP16).

Routesonline

Four Airlines are interested in SriLankan Airlines

Four airlines – Turkish Airlines, Hainan – China’s largest privately-owned air transport firm, Japan’s ANA and Indonesia’s Garuda Airlines – have shown interest in crisis-hit SriLankan Airlines which is looking for a partner, official source said.  They also said BNP Paribas and KPMG appointed as transaction advisors in Sri Lankan Airlines’ quest to find a strategic partner have tapped a number of foreign airlines in creating an ‘appetite’ towards a partnership with the debt-ridden national carrier.  ”The two agencies solicited certain parties by discussing with certain airlines in their data base/airlines that they work with,” a top official close to the restructuring of the national carrier told the Business Times.

He added that as both parties have international presence, they tapped these airlines to send in their Expressions of Interest (EOI). “They did their own solicitations and some were successful,” he said.  NSB Fund Management (NSBFM), a unit of state-run National Saving Bank (NSB) and the lead managers to airline’s restructuring drive, said that while there’re eight EOI confirmed for the national carrier, two more are being finalised.NSB Chairman Asvin de Silva told the Business Times that a project management team under NSBFM has already received eight EOI and two are still being worked out.

The EOI timeline for the ‘reorientation’ of SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka has been extended by a week until August 31, as the ‘appetite’ for the EOI was encouraging, he said. ”We extended the EOI closing date till end of this month. By about end of September we’ll be collecting the EOIs. Once we go through them, we aim to shortlist the EOI and call the shortlisted parties to submit proposals,” he said adding after this they will get these parties to carry out a due diligence on the airline.

The Sunday Times

Hainan Airlines announces nonstop service between Beijing and Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NV - Hainan Airlines today filed an application with the US Department of Transportation to launch an historic new route connecting Las Vegas to Beijing, the first-ever nonstop flight between Las Vegas and Mainland China, announced the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. The service will begin December 2, 2016 and will initially operate Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Chinese tourists are one of the fastest-growing and largest-spending groups of international visitors to Las Vegas. With the reciprocal 10-year tourist visas and the introduction of hotels, programming and amenities geared toward Chinese visitors, Las Vegas has established itself as a major draw for Chinese visitors traveling to the United States.

“With the expansion of tourist activity between China and Las Vegas, Hainan is proud to provide the very first nonstop service to this exciting market,” said Mr. Hou Wei, vice president of Hainan. “Hainan’s award-winning service and elite experience complement the dynamism and vibrancy of Las Vegas. This is a further reflection of our long-term commitment to our customers in China and the U.S.,” added Mr. Hou.

The new route is part of Hainan’s large-scale expansion in North America. On the West Coast, Hainan already operates nonstop service between Silicon Valley (SJC) and Beijing, Los Angeles (LAX) and Changsha, and from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Beijing and Shanghai.

“Nonstop international service is increasingly important at McCarran International Airport, and China has long been among our most sought-after markets,” said Clark County Aviation Director Rosemary Vassiliadis, who oversees operations at the eighth-busiest airport in the United States. “We are grateful for our new partnership with Hainan Airlines, and look forward to welcoming its world-class service to our state-of-the-art airport here in Las Vegas.”

“We are extremely proud to welcome Hainan Airlines to Las Vegas with their convenient, premium-service for Chinese visitors,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “China is an area where we have seen steady growth in visitation and we will continue to focus on experiences and amenities that cater to our Chinese guests. With these first-ever flights from China to Las Vegas, we are anticipating more than $33.5 million in annual economic impact.”

eTurboNews

Hainan Airlines takes the 23.7% of stake in Brazil’s Azul

HNA Group subsidiary Hainan Airlines has completed a deal for a 23.7% stake in Brazil’s Azul Airlines, with a $450 million investment.

Haikou, China-based Hainan is also expected to appoint three members to Azul’s board. According to a company statement, both carriers will also cooperate to develop a global networking synergy in the fields of codesharing, new route development, frequent flyer program, marketing programs and cargo.

Moreover, the two airlines are expected to benefit from the substantial passenger traffic increase between China and Brazil.

As Brazil’s third largest airline, Azul operates more than 800 daily flights that account for one-third share of the Brazilian air transport market in terms of daily departures to over 100 destinations with a fleet of 136 aircraft.

“In addition to bringing more choice and convenience to Hainan Airlines’ customers traveling to and from Brazil, we view Azul as a strong and lasting partner for HNA to explore further expansion and capital investment in Latin America. We look forward to working together to create a seamless travel experience between Latin America and China and to deliver further choice, value and excellence to worldwide travelers through our future cooperation,” HNA Group vice chairman and CEO Adam Tan said in a statement.

Azul founder and CEO David Neeleman said: “This $450 million investment demonstrates that we have a winning business model and that Hainan Airlines, as a large investor, has absolute confidence in Azul’s team.”
In May, HNA Group announced plans to invest A$159 million ($114 million) to buy a 13% stake in Virgin Australia.

ATWOnline

Hainan Begins Boeing 787-9 operations on Beijing–Toronto route from 26/7

Hainan Airlines later this month will begin Boeing 787-9 operations on Beijing – Toronto route, initially scheduled once a week on Tuesdays. The -9 will replace -8 from 26JUL16.

HU7975 PEK1420 – 1510YYZ 789 246
HU7976 YYZ1720 – 1900+1PEK 789 246

The 787-9 operation will increase to 3 weekly (Day 246) from 11AUG16.

Routesonline

Hainan Plans Daily 787-9 Boston Service Aug - Oct 2016 :: Routesonline

Hainan Airlines in its inventory update revised planned operational aircraft on Beijing – Boston route, from 14AUG16 to 29OCT16. During this period, the airline’s daily service will be operated by Boeing 787-9 only. It previously planned 4 weekly 787-8 (Day x257) and 3 weekly -9 (Day 257) operation during this period.

HU481 PEK1350 – 1510BOS 789 D
HU482 BOS1710 – 1905+1PEK 789 D

Hainan Plans Daily 787-9 Boston Service Aug - Oct 2016 :: Routesonline

Hainan Airlines eyes Dublin route | ATWOnline

China’s Hainan Airlines is in talks to open a new Dublin link and its parent company, HNA Group, is considering opening a regional headquarters in Ireland.

Hainan Airlines just opened a new route between Beijing and Manchester. “We are working on whether it is possible to open Beijing-Dublin,” HNA COO William Zhang said during a media briefing in Dublin.

HNA Group’s Bohai Leasing acquired Irish lessor Avolon for $7.6 billion in January, strengthening its Irish links.

“The airport authority is in deep dialogue with the airline,” Avolon CEO Domhnal Slattery said. “The core issue now is whether it makes business sense. There is a highly emotional desire to do it, but it has to stand on its own merits. There is enough momentum and our stakeholders are focused on making it a reality, so I’d be optimistic.”

Zhang and Slattery also said that the group is considering creating a regional headquarters in Ireland following the Avolon acquisition.

Hainan Airlines eyes Dublin route | Airports & Routes content from ATWOnline

China's Hainan Airlines eyes Africa service resumption in 4Q - ch-aviation.com

Hainan Airlines (HU, Haikou) is planning to resume flights to mainland Africa following an application to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

In its request for route authority, the HNA Group unit said it wanted to operate a 3x weekly Beijing Capital-Cairo Int'l, Egypt beginning December of this year.

Hainan Airlines last served Africa in 2012 serving Khartoum, Sudan via Dubai Int'l and Luanda viaAbu Dhabi Int'l.

China's Hainan Airlines eyes Africa service resumption in 4Q - ch-aviation.com

Hainan Airlines Receives 1st B787-9 | AIRLIVE.net

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Hainan Airlines today celebrated the delivery of the carrier’s first 787-9 Dreamliner. Hainan becomes China’s first operator of both the 787-8 and 787-9 variants of the Dreamliner family.

Hainan Airlines, the largest privately owned airline in China, leased the airplane through an agreement with Air Lease Corporation (ALC). The delivery is also the first 787-9 Dreamliner to ALC, which has 15 additional 787-9s on order.

“The 787-9 Dreamliner will be a great addition to our long-haul fleet,” said Mou Weingang, Vice Chairman, Hainan Airlines. “The 787-9’s super efficiency, capability and in-flight experience will accelerate our market position internationally.”    

As the largest 787 operator in China, Hainan Airlines already has 10 787-8s in service and plans to deploy its first 787-9 Dreamliner on a new route from Beijing to Las Vegas beginning in September.

“We are honored to celebrate this milestone delivery with both ALC and Hainan Airlines,” said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing Commercial Airplanes senior vice president of Northeast Asia Sales. “The 787-9 will complement Hainan Airlines’ existing 787-8 fleet, enabling the airline to open up new nonstop services for continuous global expansion.”

The 787-9 complements and extends the 787 family. With the fuselage stretched by 20 feet (6 meters) over the 787-8, the 787-9 will fly over 40 more passengers an additional 280 nautical miles (520 kilometers) with the same exceptional environmental performance – 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than the airplanes it replaces.

The 787-9 leverages the visionary design of the 787-8, offering passenger-pleasing features such as large windows, large stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and a smoother ride.

Hainan Airlines, headquartered in Haikou, is one of only seven airlines, and the first in China, to be rated as a five-star airline by Skytrax, which surveys international travelers to rate and review airlines and airports. Boeing airplanes make up more than 85 percent of Hainan’s current fleet, which serves 500 domestic and international routes.

NEWS Hainan Airlines Receives 1st B787-9 | AIRLIVE.net

Hainan Airlines Boeing 787-9 Boston Operations in July 2016 :: Routesonline

Airlineroute on Friday 03JUN16 published Hainan Airlines’ planned Boeing 787-9 operation. For the month of July 2016, the 787-9 is scheduled to operate Beijing – Boston route 3 times a week. In the original report, it was stated the 787-9 to operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. However, this should be corrected to the following:

02JUL16 – 11JUL16 Day 146
15JUL16 – 31JUL16 Day 257

HU481 PEK1350 – 1510BOS 787 D
HU482 BOS1710 – 1905+1PEK 787 D

Update: Hainan Airlines Boeing 787-9 Boston Operations in July 2016 :: Routesonline

Hainan Airlines to fly the Los Angeles – Changsha, China route | World Airline News

     

Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) has announced it will launch the only nonstop service from Los Angeles (LAX) to inland China on January 21, 2016. Hainan will connect passengers to Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, a metropolis of over 7 million people famous for its world-renowned cuisine and rich history.

The new route is part of Hainan’s large-scale expansion in North America. On the west coast, Hainan already operates nonstop service between San Jose (Silicon Valley) (SJC) and Beijing, and from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Beijing and Shanghai. This complements the airlines’ direct routes between Beijing and Chicago, Boston and Toronto, and between Shanghai and Boston.

All North American routes – including the new service between LAX and Changsha – are flown by Boeing 787 Dreamliners, making Hainan the airline with the most nonstop 787 Dreamliner routes between China and North America.

Beginning January 21, the newest route departs LAX Terminal 2 on Mondays and Thursdays at 12:35 pm and arrives Changsha at 7:20 pm the following day. Return flights depart Changsha at 1:00 pm and arrive LAX at 10:35 am the same day. LAX times are one hour later after March 12 due to Daylight Savings Time.

Hainan Airlines to fly the Los Angeles – Changsha, China route | World Airline News

Hainan Airlines S16 Xi’An – Europe Operation Adjustments | Airline Route

  

Hainan Airlines has updated planned summer 2016 schedule for European operation from Xi’An, effective 27MAR16. Latest adjustment as follow.

Xi’An – Paris CDG 3 weekly service operates with A330-300, replacing A330-200
HU7907 XIY0100 – 0655CDG 333 247
HU7908 CDG1425 – 0645+1XIY 333 247

Xi’An – Rome Increase from 2 to 3 weekly, A330-200 service
HU7971 XIY0100 – 0655FCO 330 135
HU7972 FCO1340 – 0600+1XIY 330 135

Hainan Airlines S16 Xi’An – Europe Operation Adjustments | Airline Route

Hainan Airlines Plans Changsha – Los Angeles Launch in late-Jan 2016 | Airline Route

                         

Hainan Airlines in the latest schedule update has filed planned Changsha – Los Angeles operation, scheduled to begin on 21JAN16. The airline intends to operate this twice weekly flights with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, however reservation is currently not available.

HU7923 CSX1300 – 1035LAX 787 14
HU7924 LAX1235 – 1920+1CSX 787 14

Hainan Airlines Plans Changsha – Los Angeles Launch in late-Jan 2016 | Airline Route